The trek south continues — Flaming Gorge

Sunday, September 17

Reggie, Roger and I are on the road early this morning. We have a long day of travel ahead. As we turn south onto Route 191 toward Rock Springs, I see a man running across a parking area to my left. He’s waving his arms, trying to grab my attention.

A Rialta Class B RV is parked nearby.

Yesterday, while walking the crew at our truck pull-out camp described in the previous post, I noticed this rig a short distance south of us in a parking area at the entrance of a road that goes to petroglyphs.

I could see what looked like a few interpretive signs. I chose not to camp there because I figured cars would be driving in and out.

Anyway . . . .

I steer the Perfect Tow Vehicle with Best Little Trailer tagging behind into the parking area. The man rushes up to the passenger side window.

Roger barks in his face.

“Hello!” I greet the man, over Roger’s racket. “Is there something you need?”

“Yes! Could you give us a jump start? My battery is dead.”

“Sure, if you have jumper cables. I don’t have any.”

He tells me he does and trots to the rear of the Rialta. I maneuver the PTV so her starter battery is situated close to the Rialta’s battery.

In a few minutes the man reappears.

He’s has a phone at his ear. His wife is with him.

“I don’t have my cables!” he announces, putting down the phone. “I thought they were in the storage compartment. I must have left them at home.”

“Oh, no! And I don’t have cables.”

“That’s okay. I made a call . . . . ”

We introduce ourselves.

He hands me a card with their names and info on it. I see the phrase “Ambassadors for Christ” after their names. The couple is from Texas and they’re on the way to Yellowstone. The man says they ran the heater last night.

“I think that’s what drained our battery. It’s not supposed to do that when running the heater . . . .”

I hate to leave them stuck like this.

They reassure me they will be okay and urge me to be on my way. Neither of them is the least bit perturbed about their situation, smiling and shaking my hand again as we say goodbyes.

“God bless you for stopping.”

“I’m glad I did,” I respond. “You may be helping me out of a fix in the future because now I’m determined to get myself some jumper cables!”

~ ~ ~

We board Interstate 70 at Rock Springs, go west a few miles, and then turn south on Route 191.

I choose to drive on the east side of the gorge because I think it’s an easier drive than the west side.

Remember this camp?

That’s the Antelope Flat boondock (photo above taken in 2014). We don’t camp there this time. It takes some effort to get out there and, if I’m going to do that, I’m going to stay a while.

Another reason I don’t want to camp at Antelope Flat is hunting season for pronghorns is open. I’d rather not witness that.

We keep moving south, trying to get ahead of cold weather.

This photo is the view from Red Canyon Overlook, also taken during our visit to Flaming Gorge in 2014.

We arrive at the Ashley National Forest boondock off Route 191.

Typically the locals have staked out “their” sites by dropping off their rigs which they visit on the weekends.

You may remember this camp is where the bear tried to break into the Best Little Trailer. To read that story see this post of July 14, 2014:

It takes some maneuvering to find where the ground is level enough to camp without unhitching.

The air is cold and it smells like rain.

We do manage to take a walk before burrowing into our home to escape the weather!

We only stay overnight.

The elevation at this camp means more chilly weather, so we get back on the road first thing in the morning. I really don’t like this kind of travel — rushing between overnight camps — but you do what you have to do.

One more long day of driving and we’ll be able to slow down and “smell the roses” again!

Hi Sue, our son gave us an Antigravity Batteries AG-XP-10 Multi-Function Power Supply and Jump Starter for Christmas. We stuck it in the truck “just because” for our trip this summer and then needed it to jump start a girl’s car at a rest area and it worked great. Way easier to just bring it to the car (which was parked about 100 yards behind us) than to try to move the truck with trailer attached and get out the jumper cables to help. I think it would be a great addition to your rig. It’s not that big. It does need to be charged up every few months but other than the jump start mentioned above, I’ve used it to charge my cell phone and run my computer at a picnic table. Costs lots more than jumper cables but definitely a great thing for us to have and worth carrying with us.

We had this for our pontoon boat…works great! It has all the attachments to recharge phones, laptops etc.

It’s a nifty just in case kind of gadget. Highly recommend it…we now keep it under the seat of the car.

Just for info…we weren’t allowed to jump vehicles when at work…said it could damage the vehicle’s computer. We don’t do it in our personal vehicles…besides I can never remember which cables to attach first…positive or negative….gives me the heebeegeebees!

Suaoki G7 600A Peak 18000mAh Portable Jump Starter was mentioned in a vlog by bexcatherder. It is lithium, small and you can charge it while driving. Your laptop can be charged from it even. I haven’t looked into it but am going to for sure.

Sure handier than jumper cables, and there also power supplies for computers, cell phones etc. In the old days it was safe and easy to jump another car. But nowadays with the fancy electronics you can fry them out. Best to read the cars/trucks owners manual before doing so. Either way the portable units will be the safer method.

Thanks for this information. I am now reading reviews on Amazon and looking for the best model for myself and my two adventurous daughters. It would be a great (and surprising!) Christmas gift. We all need something like this. I like the models with the air compressor and currently considering the DeWalt DXAEJ14 for all it can do. Does anyone have experience with this model?

Now that I have read every word, I’m back to respond! Hahaha
Chuck and I were at a campground in Flaming Gorge about 7 years ago! Pronghorn Antelope shared their park with us! There was the buck, or stag, and his harem of about 7 does. They just roamed freely through the campground. They didn’t come too close because DoogieBowser had Rogers habit of barking at everybody and everything that came close to us!
We enjoyed our stay there, but of course it was summer! On the way up and out of the gorge, we even saw a small herd of Dahl sheep.
You had a good visit too, the last time you were there! Sorry you have to leave so quick, but on to warmer weather! See you down the road! Oh…the first rain from Nate just started dancing on our roof!
Happy Trails!

Nothing to worry about here. We didn’t even get enough rain to fill our bird bath! No bad winds…Nada!
We have been blessed here! All three storms touched us, but gently!
Thank you for your concern! 3 more weeks and hurricane season will be over! YAY!

What a cute photo of Rog’s face! Smiling!
Rialta’s are sweet little rigs….not sure why they discontinued making them. I believe it was due to the Volkswagen engine. Would have definitely got the 22FD model w the stationary bed instead of our class c.
Beautiful sign! It’s got to be some sort of “party foul” to park your rig and only habitat it on the weekend.
RUN Pronghorns RUN!
Have a great evening!

We had a 2001 Rialta HD model that we had for 6 or so years….we loved it dearly…..the VW engine is not the problem, it is the automatic transmission. It is definitely its achilles heel. Once you have issues, you will find that it is extremely hard to get any shop to work on them. It was easy to drive, park and back up, and we got 18-20 mpg. We replaced the tranny for around $7K, but have since decided to get a small fiberglass egg. We’ve been very happy with our Bigfoot 17.5…(heavily insulated)…but over course all rigs have their problems…

Last year, I was gifted a Halo Bolt Recharger. (Amazon carries them). It is the size of a small hard-covered book. It will jump your car, charge your phone, or laptop, and it even has an LED light on it. Unlike regular jumper cables, you don’t need to have someone to help you (another car). Keep this unit charged, and you can jumpstart your own car. Not only that, you cannot hook up the jumper cables incorrectly – a red light will flash and the unit will do nothing. The unit comes with everything needed…jumper cables, USB cable, the plug-in power cord, and even a handy bag to keep it all together. Mine has a lovely pink rose and green trellis design on it’s cover. Who says utilitarian cannot be pretty?! The units are a bit of an investment, but worth it to know that one will never be stranded due to a dead battery. Oh, and they have the “Good Houskeeping Seal of Approval”. 🙂

Sending you and the Crew love and hugs from me and Gracie pup! I hope you all are snuggled together and comfy cozy. 🙂

I see what the problem is – I typd the name incorrectly. When I search “Halo Bolt Portable Charger” some models are listed, but they are sold by 3rd parties – not by Amazon. Which means you would not get credit for the purchase, right? 😖 I found out that my friend purchased my Halo thru QVC. At least you can see what I am talking about….

Hi Sue and Crew,
You promised a post and you delivered, yea. Sorry you have to move on due to the cold but that’s the adventure, loved the rerun of 2014. Thanks for the excitement and that pic of the prong horn what a beauty.

So happy to see that my Charlie Brown Christmas Tree made the list. I shop via Amazon at least once a month, always use your link. Thank-You for sharing your travel adventures I truly enjoy reading your blog.

I see our no shock dog collar made the list. It is supposed to beep and vibrate. We hate to have to put this on our Nap, but lately he barks at everything he hears! Hopefully we can train him not to bark at the air conditioner and the washing machine, and the TV, etc…Its funny, he won’t bark at anything when we camp! A great post and lovely pictures. I enjoy the past posts, too.
Safe travels!

I think I’ll buy myself them jump start cables. I looked at both. What do they mean the jump start can fry your car’s computer? I don’t get it…if it frys computers why would you use it? Explain please.

Car battery to car battery…..that’s what we were told at work! Whether it be the cars computer chip or the computers (CAD system) we had in the car or both? It was a no no!
All the better to have this “battery pack” instead!

Look in your car’s/truck’s, etc owners manual for the proper jump starting procedure. Even when AAA came out to install a new battery in my 2010 they use a vehicle specific procedure. They just don’t jump start between 2 cars with jumper cables like we use to.

Though it was a short visit, I’m glad you saw Field of Flowers Camp again. It looks just as beautiful as it did in July of 2014, though more autumn like, of course. Reg and Rog are so cute with their sweaters on! Hopefully they won’t have to wear them very often soon. I know being cold can get old really quickly, and you’ll be happy to be someplace warm.

To be honest, it was kind of gloomy at that camp, the mix of rain, cold, and memories of precious times in the sun with butterflies, flowers, and those I love. I was glad to leave early the next morning.

Your having felt that way makes sense, Sue.It took me until the day after you published this “The trek south” post to come up with a somewhat positive comment. My initial reaction had been remembering sweet bygone days at that camp, and the reality of all you were dealing in the time surrounding your stay there this year…

Today will be warm and rain-free here. Less than half of the trees show autumn’s colors yet in this part of central NY state. I intend to follow the season’s unhurried pace and meander among a few of my favorite things. Sending wishes for whatever will make this a good day for you and your little guys.

We are 6 days into travel south. Made a detour to Reno to visit a camping friend who moved into assisted living this week.. Was lovely to see her but sad. I don’t find that choice very enticing.

I am doing very well on the trip. Have been able to ride sitting up the entire trip so far. I have even driven several times. I am truly savoring each mile. We are so grateful for the opportunity to travel again.

Sue, I have enjoyed your blog for years as have others. If there is someone out there that has a little extra money, please buy Sue one of those chargers. And while were at it, please put one of those Donate buttons on here. I don’t see anything wrong with it. Sam

I didn’t blog about the time the PTV’s battery went dead. It happened at Pagari Springs. I was using the PTV to charge my electronics by hooking them up to an inverter connected to one of the PTV’s 12v outlets. Well, I turned off the PTV and neglected to turn off the inverter. It drained the battery.

That was when the 7,000 sheep came through our camp over a period of days. When the sheep had been moved through and before the man in charge moved his fifth wheel parked nearby, I asked him to jump start the PTV. He was glad to do so. Turned out to be a very interesting fellow who told me much about being a sheepherder in Idaho.

Some of my readers have shopped often enough through my blog that I can buy a charger without feeling a pinch. I don’t want to ask for donations. All I ask of those feeling moved to thank me is to shop Amazon here and write a comment now and then. 🙂

Hi Sue,
Your mentioning Rock Springs brings back memories of my mother living there with a friend for almost one year. She loved spending the weekends exploring. Flaming Gorge was high on her list of awesome places visited. Sadly, she no longer remembers any of it.
Always thought I’d like to see where she was.
Enjoy your travels,

Oh Sue,
your adventures always give me a lift. I agree with you that a camp and what it has changes value according to circumstance. I will be on the road again shortly, not full time, but…. Unfortunately the cause of my travels is not entirely happy. My mother passed away in mid September. My Dad and I will take her ashes on a last road trip back to their hometown of Kickapoo IL. At 86, he continues to astound me with his strength, love and caregiving. We will travel together and stay in my new 17′ Escape. Dad is checking out where he wants to relocate, and I will be with him “as long as he needs me”, and glad to do so. I will let you all know how we are down the road. Thank you for the blessings of this community on the road.

Comments are closed.

Meet the canine crew!

Roger (left) and Reggie (right)

What is the BLT?

The BLT is what I consider the Best Little Trailer, a 2011 17-foot Casita Liberty Deluxe which is the full-time home for me and my crew.

What is the PTV?

The PTV is the Perfect Tow Vehicle. It's a 2005 Chevy Express Van with a V-8, 5.3 liter engine and equipped with a 200-watt solar panel on the roof and two AGM batteries inside.

What is a blogorino?

A blogorino is a reader who opens up the comment section of this blog and writes a message. Blogorinos are kind and friendly and fun to know!